Elito Revé y su Charangón

The Elito Revé Orchestra, known as "el Charangón", was founded in 1956 by Elito Revé Matos, an important figure in Cuban music. This band has been considered one of the most renowned in Cuba and other parts of the world for many years. The orchestra from Guantanamo was also known as "LA ORQUESTA DEL CHANGÜI".

The 15-piece group was founded in 1956 by Elio Revé, a brilliant musician from Guantánamo who died in 1997. Guantánamo is a town in the far east of the island. Here in this remote part of Cuba, the African origins of the slaves blend not only with the Spanish tradition, but also with the French roots of nearby Haiti. A unique mixture that leads musically to Changüi, a forerunner of Son. The band was taken over by his son Elito, who inherited both his father's gruff voice and his amazing ear for talent. Elito is a music school graduate, but also owes much of his musical training to his father. He started as a pianist for the Charangón at the age of 20 and also worked as an arranger for many of the band's hits.